Why move to Jaén
Move here for the authentic Andalusian lifestyle: medieval castle topped cities, excellent food and drink and abundant natural beauty.
Venture inland in southern Spain, and you will discover the beautiful Province of Jaén, the land of olives. Jaén is known as the world capital of olive oil, and produces almost half of Spain’s olives and just under a third of the world’s. Here, you will find some of the finest olive oil in the world, which makes its way into much of the province’s rich cuisine.
This is Old Spain, filled with history and culture, and encased in a spectacular natural landscape where rugged mountains and fertile plains ease into shaded valleys. Its medieval towns are surrounded by row upon row of silvery olive trees, arranged into a pretty patchwork which rises and dips across countless miles of beautiful countryside.
In the east is the Sierra de Cazorla, the largest protected area in Spain. This World Biosphere Reserve proffers a heaving bounty of natural features to those lucky wanderers who tread its sun-baked paths and tracks in search of beauty: think glistening waterfalls, emerald brooks, rough-hewn gorges and otherworldly canyons.
In the centre of the province lies Úbeda and Baeza, two neighbouring ancient Iberian cities filled with beautiful Renaissance architecture. These stunning buildings speak of the huge wealth of the local Barons, who made their fortunes from the province’s fertile land. Their wares included saffron, cereal crops, wine, and of course olives, not to mention silk, leather, and textiles.
As a result of this abundant wealth, both cities are home to some of the most beautiful public squares in Spain, which feel almost Florentine with their citrus-lined Renaissance churches and palaces. It comes as no surprise then, that both of these cities have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.
No trip to this part of Spain would be complete without a visit to the province’s capital of the same name. Jaén, derived from Yayyan (Arabic for ‘crossroads’), took its name from its strategic location which links Seville with Barcelona, and Granada with Madrid. Here, you’ll find history woven into the fabric of the city: its beautiful Renaissance cathedral dominates the skyline, while palaces, convents and churches flank the cobbled streets of the old town.
Visit the 16th century Palacio de Villardompardo, which is home to a large collection of art, and also houses beautifully preserved 11th Century Moorish baths in its vaulted basement. The city is also awash with excellent wine and sherry, which is usually served with delicious complementary tapas. You can fill your belly in this part of Spain without even having to order any food.